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The SC push for fuel economy has the benefit of using less gas as well
as fewer emissions in our local Greer environment. Cars and trucks run
cleaner than ever.
Many people in the Greer area may not realize that the first federally mandated pollution control device was in 1960: the PCV valve.
‘PCV’ stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation.
The crankcase is the lower part of the engine where the crankshaft is
housed and where the engine oil lives. When fuel is burned in the engine
some of the explosive gases from combustion squeeze past the pistons
and down into the crankcase.

Now this gas is about 70 percent unburned fuel. If it were allowed
to remain in the crankcase, it would contaminate the oil and quickly
turn it to sludge. Sludge is like Vaseline and clogs passages in the
engine leading to damage.

Also, the pressure build up would blow out seals and gaskets. In the
old days, there was just a hose that vented the crankcase out into the
air. Obviously, not good for the environment.

Enter the PCV valve. It’s a small, one-way valve that lets out the
gases from the crankcase, and routes them back into the air intake
system where can be re-burned in the engine.

As you might imagine, the valve gets gummed up over time. If you
skip oil changes now and then, the PCV valve gets gummed up even faster.
If the PCV valve is sticking you could have oil leaks. Fortunately, the
PCV valve is very inexpensive to replace. Some can even be checked for function by your technician.

Manufacturer’s usually recommend they be changed somewhere between
twenty and fifty thousand miles. Unfortunately, PCV valve replacement is
left out of some owner’s manuals, so you may need to ask your service
advisor.

Come down to Advantage Auto
and have us take a look at the condition of your PCV valve to ensure
you are running at top efficiency. Just come by our service station in
Greer, SC 29651, or give us a call at 864.801.1810.